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6 Amazing Ways to Use Augmented Reality in Manufacturing for Your Business

In this article, we will examine the greatest ways to leverage the augmented reality in manufacturing and its pros/cons.
Jul 9, 2021
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Anyone working in the manufacturing industry knows how competitive the market is, especially for products with other analogs available from competitors. In these conditions, many companies have taken the plunge and implemented digital transformation in manufacturing operations, and this decision has had a massive positive effect on their bottom line.

With digital transformation approaches like gamification, PLM, and immersive experiences gaining ground, there has never been a better time to talk about augmented reality app development services, one of the most accessible and ground-breaking digital transformation strategies. In this article, we will examine the greatest ways to leverage the technology and its pros/cons.

What are the Benefits of Augmented Reality in Manufacturing?

Augmented Reality in Manufacturing

Augmented reality technology works by utilizing a device camera, capturing live footage, and displaying it on a screen with 3D elements overlaid. Thus, part of the visible environment becomes digital and potentially interactive. Unlike VR, it does not require a headset that takes up the user’s entire field of view or special controllers that translate to motions on the screen. As such, it is like a compromise between seeing a fully digital and physical world – only select elements and environments are visualized digitally.

When comparing VR and AR in manufacturing, we have called AR the most accessible of immersive technologies because it works on nearly all Android and iOS devices with a functional camera, while the other options require expensive and specialized hardware. However, the advantages do not stop there. Other benefits of AR include:

  • Remote productivity

    By creating digital constructs directly on the user’s screen, AR makes it possible to do work and other tasks in virtually any location.

  • Instant object recognition

    Through advanced tracking software, AR apps can scan objects and settings and pick up details and conclusions that would be difficult or impossible for ordinary workers to reach.

  • Lifelike simulations at scale

    Most AR apps have sufficiently elaborate coding that allows them to properly recognize surfaces and measure distance & scale. As a result, the digital elements they visualize are lifelike in scale.

  • Increased worker engagement

    Immersive apps are exciting to use mostly due to their novelty and the sleek 3D models that provide a unique experience not found in everyday life. These factors work well to boost engagement.

  • Reduced cost and risk

    In many cases, AR apps can replace the work or function of real equipment or people. This helps save costs and keeps workers out of risky situations or hazardous conditions.

You can find more tangible and industry-specific examples of AR benefits in the next section.

6 Types of Manufacturing Apps You Can Build with AR

AR as an open technology has existed for at least a decade, and this time has allowed manufacturing companies all around the world to come up with all kinds of cool and creative applications for it. Let’s examine some of the most common choices and the peculiarities of their development.

1. Virtual training

AR manufacturing training

About

Training apps are perhaps the most common of those that will be listed. Using augmented reality in manufacturing training is incredibly convenient for employee education because such software can be accessed anywhere and can fully or partially replace human trainers. Additionally, it does not require any special equipment or machinery – everything can be visualized in 3D.

Development

Creating a training app requires lots of adaptation. First, you have plenty of learning materials and instructions that must be fit and organized on a small screen. Secondly, you have the objects that the interactions will focus on – often complex machines or equipment involved in production. These objects can be “adapted” with the help of scans and photogrammetry or custom modeling based on blueprints/schematics.

Learn more

Example

Unit Engine Controller

The Engine Control Unit is a complex piece of machinery used in ships and marine vessels. Program-Ace developed an application with multiple use purposes. In terms of manufacturing, it helps workers understand the internal and external structure of the unit and learn how the various parts deliver functionality. With this knowledge (and helpful animations and instructions), they can learn the proper order of assembly.

Check Out the Case Study

2. Collaboration apps

AR manufacturing collaboration app

About

Most collaboration applications that make use of Augmented Reality are focused on remote troubleshooting. Thus, one user may open the app and focus the camera on a certain troublesome process/object, while another user with the same app open will see the feed and communicate with the first about resolving the issue. The AR elements may simply be a marker-based scanning system that identifies issues or a visualization that pops up with information about the issue.

Development

Networking features are a must-have in these types of apps, so you should make sure that your back-end is prepared to handle the flow of connections and potentially video streaming capabilities. Furthermore, the recognition features built into the app may be based on markers (pre-programmed visuals that the app looks for and activates when found) or be markerless (recognize objects and their states based on visual analysis and machine learning.

Example

Rockwell Automation, a U.S.-based manufacturer of motors, drives, connection devices, and numerous other industrial products has found a use for AR in product lifecycle and maintenance. Partnering with Comau, it is working on bringing the same kind of solutions to other manufacturers around the world, particularly those using robotics.

3. Digital Twin

AR manufacturing digital twin app

About

A digital twin is a digital representation of an object, system, or process. In manufacturing, this twin might replicate anything as small as a tiny component and as large as an entire supply chain. As a rule, the software of the twin analyzes how the object/system/process is working based on real measurements, while the AR features provide stunning visuals and relevant data that the user can understand.

Development

Digital twin development is a bit trickier than it is for other software types because the interactive models that will be presented through AR must perform exactly as the object does in real life. Thus, sensors and measurements are applied to the object and the data collected from a certain period of functioning must be converted into digital form. In other aspects, the process of creating the model and making it immersive is pretty standard.

Learn more

Example

Bosch, the well-known global electronics and home appliance maker uses a massive digital twin in their Dresden plant. It features over 500,000 3D models and allows workers to conduct maintenance work more efficiently and remotely, as well as otherwise optimize work in the numerous production lines.

4. Product or process configurators

AR manufacturing product configuration app

About

An AR product configurator is a solution meant to bridge the gap between product design and sale. It typically provides a user with one product and dozens of customization options for it. The user tinkers with the configurator until they find the build they like most, and can then place an order for the item. This type of solution is helpful to production companies since they can present the full scale and variety of a product they produce in an organized and appealing way.

Development

Configurators can be made as simple or complex as you need them. For example, you might give the user a few menus of options and static 3D models that go along with them or choose a more dedicated approach, featuring updates in real time, responsive feedback, location-based suggestions, and even gesture tracking.

Learn more

Example

FurnitARe is an application developed by Program-Ace and made free to use for furniture makers and consumers alike. For manufacturers, it is a great platform to add their inventory in all of its splendor. In turn, users can check how the furniture will look in their home, office, or another setting.

5. Visualization apps

AR manufacturing visualization app

About

Visualization can serve both as a part of broader functionality or a standalone solution. As a standalone solution, it essentially gives viewers a 3D representation of an object or setting, possibly with the addition of interactive options, special effects, and animation. In an industrial setting, it is great for presentations – demonstrating how something will look or work before primary work begins or the item is enabled.

Development

During development, you will first need to establish what will be visualized (data, a product, functions and processes, etc.). With this objective in mind, you can use relevant 3D software and AR SDKs to build and customize the software according to your needs, or those of your customers.

Learn more

Example

Linde is a company known for building cryogenic freezers and other gas-based solutions. It has created an AR app for customers just by projecting the freezer models on customers’ screens. This helps them get acquainted with the product and often leads to sales.

6. Prototyping software

AR manufacturing prototyping software

About

AR apps can be a great boost when designing a new product or unit. As you come up with new designs and functionality, you can use the app as a sort of simulation center. It can help you see how the unit will function, calculate potential issues and defects, and even serve as a sandbox where you craft the model.

Development

Prototyping software comes in many varieties, but a uniting feature in most of them seems to be elaborate interactions with a 3D model. You may also need to create animations for the model(s) in motion and add customization options that affect how the model looks/performs. This is if the design process takes place in-app.

Example

BMW has embraced augmented reality in car manufacturing. With the help of an app running on AR goggles, they test whether workers will be able to properly fit components before they are produced. This saves time and money that would go into redesign and prevents a loss of physical materials.


And don’t forget - #7 – Custom! The sky is the limit for your creativity, so if you have an idea that falls outside these categories, you are welcome to develop it and become a pioneer of sorts.

Challenges You May Face During Development

Besides the obvious challenges connected with creating any mobile app, AR adds an additional level of difficulty to the development process, especially when the software is tailored to an industry as demanding as manufacturing. Below are some of the issues and challenges you may face if you set out on this path:

  • Making use of connectivity and storage

    Delivering optimal content delivery through AR apps can be a challenge due to network and storage constraints. For example, if the app performs numerous downloads of interactive 3D models, each one can take a long time and might not be feasible in every location and internet connection. On the other hand, adding too much high-resolution content can make your app size balloon, creating a hassle for users with limited storage space. Most of the time, these issues can be overcome, but you have to find the right balance of network-accessed and pre-loaded features.

  • Large volume of required 3D assets

    Accurate and lifelike simulations are formed with a variety of 3D models, all ranging in their size and level of detail. Those unfamiliar with the modeling process sometimes assume that they can get the 3D content in a matter of days, but it ends up taking weeks or months. If you are looking to recreate work settings and equipment with a high level of detail, be prepared to devote lots of time to modeling, even if you have more than one artist working on the task.

  • Creation of reliable markers

    It’s not overwhelmingly difficult to create markers for the objects your app must recognize, but it is a lot harder to make the recognition system work under unique user conditions. For example, factors such as lighting, picture quality, and angle can all make it harder for recognition to occur. Furthermore, if the object is fully or partially blocked by something in the user’s surroundings, it may be impossible to complete recognition without removing the obstruction.

  • Productivity impeded by handheld devices

    For most AR devices (phones), you can only make the most of the features by holding them in your hands and making some movements on the screen. While this is fine for learning simulations, it becomes a problem when you are doing a task that requires both hands. Obviously, you cannot competently operate a machine while holding your phone up and interacting with it, so the interactions must be designed in a way that does not distract from work.

  • Inconvenient interactions with complex models

    Most manufacturing machinery is large and complex (at least on the inside), so it is best viewed on a large screen. While smartphones have been getting bigger over the past decade, they can sometimes be unwieldy when looking at large and complicated 3D models, such as those that are involved in augmented reality in pharma manufacturing. This challenge can be partly mitigated by adding zoom features to the model, but users may still not be able to make out the fine details of your objects when looking at them whilst zoomed out.

Choosing the Right Augmented Reality Manufacturing Companies

For one reason or another, independent development may not be in the cards for every business. Oftentimes, this is simply due to a lack of experience and suitable specialists. Whatever it is that is holding your company back from development, you can probably mitigate it by finding a development partner that will take care of the process for you.

Program-Ace is one of the top companies operating in the fields of immersive apps and we have crafted dozens of effective solutions in the manufacturing industry, including the Engine Control Unit previously mentioned. Decades of work in addressing enterprises’ needs have taught us how to build software that will bring substantial use and value to the company, and which won’t soon be forgotten.

In case you want to know more about our services or ask about potential cooperation, please contact us. We will be thrilled to help you out!

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